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. 2019 Aug 15;8(8):308.
doi: 10.3390/antiox8080308.

Anti-Hyperglycemic and Anticholinergic Effects of Natural Antioxidant Contents in Edible Flowers

Paulina Nowicka  1 , Aneta Wojdyło  2
Affiliations

Anti-Hyperglycemic and Anticholinergic Effects of Natural Antioxidant Contents in Edible Flowers

Paulina Nowicka et al. Antioxidants (Basel). .

Abstract

In this study, 16 selected edible flowers were evaluated for their content of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, carotenoids, triterpenoids) and for their anti-diabetic (ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidases) and anti-aging (ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) activities. Most of the flowers analyzed in this study have not been examined in this respect until now. Contents of the analyzed bioactive compounds differed significantly among the flowers. In particular, the highest contents of carotenoids and triterpenoids were determined in marigold, arnica, lavender, and daisy; in turn, the highest contents of phenolic acids, procyanidin polymers, and total polyphenols were assayed in hawthorn, primrose, and linden blossom. There was a positive correlation between the content of isoprenoids in edible flowers and their anti-aging activity, and between the content of polymeric procyanidins and flowers' ability to inhibit α-glucosidase. In conclusion, edible flowers may be used to produce functional foods as well as for medical purposes.

Keywords: anti-aging activities; anti-diabetic activities; bioactive compounds; edible flowers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) scores plot showing the relationship among bioactive compounds and biological activity of selected edible flowers. Tri—triterpenoids; C—carotenoids; F3ols—flavan-3-ols (monomers and dimers); Ch—chlorophylls; Fols—flavonols; Ant—anthocyanins; TP—total polyphenols; PP—polymeric procyanidins; PA—phenolic acids.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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